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(NoModel.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l. J. STEPHENSON.

GAR BODY TRUSS. 110.311,541. Patentedleb. 3,1885.

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JOHN STEPHENSON, 0F NEV YORK, N. Y.

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atendieron-rien' forming pari; of Letters Patent No. 311,541, eared February a, 1885.

(No model.)

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN STEPHnNsoN, a citizen ofthe United States, and aresident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Card'ody Trusses, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention -is a pedestal intended for that class of cars in which the sills are supported by trusses or girders arranged below the same, the said pedestal being constructed ,as fully vset forth hereinafter, so as to form part of the truss and permit the ready removal of the axles, wheels, springs, the., without disorganizing the truss structure.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side view, in part section, of one of the sills and girders of an open car provided with myimprovcd ped-v estal. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the shell of one of the pedestals. Fig. 3 is a side view, partly in section,of one of the pedestals, showing the connections with the strut and stay-bar. Fig. 4lis an inverted plan of the pedestal. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the wedge or bridge bar. Fig. 6 is a side view of a bridgebar, showing a modification.

Summer or open cars being of light construe tion,and the frame-work bein gslight, and having but little strength, are dependent for their stiffness and rigidity upon the body and its support-s.

Effort-s to secure the desired stiffness of the body portion of such vehicles have proved to a great extent unsuccessful, mainly owing to the fact that the stiffening devices have been complicated and interfered with the frequent necessary changes and repairs of the wheels, axles, boxes, springs, &c., it being necessary in most instances to disorganize the entire truss structure when such changes or repairs are necessary, and the disorganization being attended generally with a permanent weakening of the structure.

To properly brace the body I combine with each sill a truss or girder, as set forth in my application for Letters Patent bearing even date herewith; and my invention consists of a pedestal adapted for use in such a structure. The said pedestal A has an elongated bedplate, a, and at opposite edges of the latter are flanges b b, adapted to receive between them the sill B, the plate ct having perforations c,

through which pass bolts d, that firmly clamp the pedestal to the sill. The flanges b b aid in retaining the pedestal' in its position, and most effectively prevent it from twisting or turning, and also tend to remove the strains from the securing-bolts, and afford necessary stiffness to the bed-plate, preserving the truss in form when the wedge-bars are removed.

The pedestal is provided, as usual,with two jaws separated to receive between them the usual axle-box, and each consisting of a front plate, f, a back plate, f', and a union-bar or connecting-plate, g, the whole forming a light but rigid and strong structure.

From each union bar or plate g project outward and downward lugs e, forming sockets or chambers zr, of which the lugs e constitute the sidewalls, the inner edges of the lugs being inclined or beveled to constitute bearing-faces y, for the purpose described hereinafter.

In the outer chamber, x, of each pedestal fits the eye end of a strut, D, which is held in place by a bolt, h, passing through the ears and through the eye, and in theinner chamber of each pedestal lits the eye end ot' the staybar, E, secured by bolts 7i.

To the lower part of the pedestal is adapted a wedge-bar, F, of suitable shape, (shown in the present instance as curved downward, so as to permit ample play of the box,) and with flattened endsj, each with beveled edges to form inclined faces to, adapted to the beveled bearing-facesy. rlhe wedge-bar F is slightly longer than the space between the faces y y, so that when the said bar is placed between the said faces and lifted into contact with the union-bars it will tend to slightly spread or separate the jaws of the pedestal, tighten the truss or girder, and prevent any play or rattling or lost motion. l

rIhe wed ge-bar may be connected to the pedestal and drawn upward by any suitable appliance. I prefer, however, to use bolts 71, passing through openings in the union-bars and in the ends ofthe wed ge-bar, and provided withnuts i. Each end of the wedge-bar is preferably pro vided with a tongue, m,which extends between the lugs e, tending to hold the wedgebar in its position, and also in some cases affording a bearing against the end of the adjacent strut or stay-bar, so that the strains coming upon the said strut and stay-bar may be borne by the IOC wedge-bar, and not by the bolts h h or the jaws of thepedestal. By t-his means I avoid all tendency of the jaws to be closed by pressure upon the end of the platforms,and at the same time brace thelatter so as to resist strains tending to deflect its ends,while ready access may at any time be had to the axle-boxes', wheels, 850., upon unbolting and removing the wedgebars without disorganizing the structure.

To secure increased strength and rigidity or a greater bearing-surface, cach wedge-bar F, may be provided with a lug. a, having a shoulder, n, adapted to bear against the inner edge of the union-bar g.

I do not claim any of the features not hereinafter specifically claimed and which are also f shown and claimed in my aforesaid application.

Vithout limiting myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts shown, I claiml. A car-pedestal having front and rear walls connected by union-bars, carrying lugs forming the walls of intermediate chambers or sockets and extending below the pedestal, and having bearing edges or shoulders, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A car-truss pedestal having front and rear walls connected by unionbars,with sockets at the outer sides of the latter for the reception of the ends of the strut and stay-bar, substantially as specified.

3. A car-truss pedestal provided with lugs arranged at the lower corners to form inten mediate sockets, and with inclined or beveled inner bearingfaces, substantially as set forth.

4. A car-truss pedestal provided with lugs at the opposite lower corners extending down- Ward,and having inclined innerfaces,and with a detachable Wedge-bar having inclined ends or shoulders, and tting between the beveled faces of the lugs, substantially as set forth.

5. A car-truss pedestal provided with unionbarscarryinglugs having inclined inner faces, and perforated to receive bolts connecting the wedge-bar to the pedestal, substantially as set forth.

6. A car-pedestal having union-bars, carrying lugs with beveled edges, and a wedge-bar with inclined edges abutting against the edges of the lugs and crossing the open jaws of the pedestal, substantially as set forth.

7 A car-pedestal provided with lugs 'at the opposite or lower corners having inclined lower faces, and a unionsbar provided with inclined faces bearing against those of thelugs,

and with a tongue7 m, extending between the lugs, substantially as set forth,

8. A car-pedestal provided with. bearings for a Wedge-bar having lugs n, substantially as setforth.

9. A car-pedestal provided with beveled bearing-faces upon the opposite jaws, and with a Wedge-bar having beveled ends and fitting between the said bearingfaces, substantiallyvv as set forth.

10. A car-truss pedestalprovided with stift'- ening flanges above the bed-plate, and with front and rear walls connected by union-bars, carrying llugs with inclined inner faces, and with bearings at the inner edges of the unionbars for receiving between them a wedge-bar, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereofI have signed my naine to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. JOHN STEPHENSON. VVitnesses:

Jos. B. STEPHENsoN, S. A. STEPHENsoN. 

